Question 2(a) Summary: Model Answer (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language): Revision Note

Paper 1: Reading is a compulsory exam for the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English qualification, and examiners recommend that you complete the questions in the order they are set.

For exams from 2027, Question 2 is split into two tasks:

• Question 2(a) — a summary task

• Question 2(b) — writer’s attitudes and opinions

The following guide will demonstrate how to answer an example summary question.

Question 2(a) model answer

The following question is taken from the June 2022 exam paper. For exams from 2027, the summary question has changed from Question 1(f) to Question 2(a).

The question is based on Text B in the source insert.

Jayden Dee is a participant in Tough Mudder, an obstacle course endurance race. In this article, he has been interviewed by his local newspaper, the Redmond Gazette (RG).

Jayden Dee knows about hard work and dedication, as the 27-year-old athlete and army captain is keen to prove. Despite missing the deadline to enter this year’s Tough Mudder World Championship, airing on national television this weekend, he repeatedly emailed the company responsible for the event, asking to be included in the endurance contest. Eventually, they gave in and allowed Dee to compete.

Tough Mudder isn’t his first competition. Dee, who spent four years at a prestigious military school on a wrestling scholarship, competed in his first Ironman triathlon a few months ago. But the Tough Mudder event is something different altogether. It’s billed as ‘the most insane race around’, featuring obstacles with names such as ‘Kong’ and ‘Devil’s Beard’. Participants bench-press sandbags, climb walls, crawl and run through mud, among other things that will make them wet, tired and dirty.

Tough Mudder was held earlier this summer, with entrants competing for a substantial cash prize. We spoke to Dee beforehand about his preparation.

RG: How did you find out about Tough Mudder? Dee: I found out online through social media, and I was like, ‘I think I can compete with these guys’. I literally stayed up all night watching the one-hour special from last year’s competition, and that’s when I was hooked. I said to myself, ‘I need to find a way to get into this.’

RG: Is that typical of you?

Dee: Well I was super-competitive through school, and then I kinda needed a break, which was good because I went to Hawaii. So the last four years in Hawaii, I stayed active, but also made a point to relax. I always knew I’d come back and compete in something. I just was waiting for the right time. Then I did the Ironman competition and got the bug again. I was in really good shape when I found out about this event. It seemed like now was the time to come back.

RG: How do you see yourself doing?

Dee: I want to win the whole thing! A lot of my role models, people I really look up to are in this competition, so I’m extremely realistic, but I also truly believe I can win. So I’m gonna do my best. I want to represent Redmond well. It’s easy for people to forget where they come from, but I don’t. This way while I’m home on leave I can get a chance to inspire kids as the ‘Redmond Guy’.

Summary

• Remember to read the question carefully and highlight:

  • The instructions (what you have got to do)

  • The focus of the question (what you are being asked to write a summary about)

• Remember that up to five marks are awarded in this question for the quality of your writing:

  • Therefore, make sure you re-read your answer before moving on to the next question

• It is important that you are able to summarise mostly in your own words — do not just copy and paste from the text, or directly quote from the text

• This answer should be written in paragraph form — do not use bullet points or single words